76-A. Welfare Officers.- (1) There shall be one Welfare Officer for factories employing between 500 to 2000 workers. Where the number of workers exceeds 2000, there shall be an additional Welfare Officer for every additional to thousand workers or fraction thereof over 500. (2) No person shall be eligible for appointment as a Welfare Officer, unless he (a) possesses a degree of a University recognised by the Chief Commissioner in this behalf; (b) has obtained a Degree or Diploma in Social Science from an institution recognised by the Chief Commissioner in this behalf; and (c) has adequate knowledge of the language spoken by the majority of the workers in the factory which he is to be attached. Provided that, in the case of a person, who is acting as a Welfare Officer to the commencement of this rule, the Chief Commissioner may, subject to such conditions as he may specify, relax all or any of the aforesaid qualifications, Provided further that the Chief Commissioner may relax the above qualification if he is satisfied that the person is otherwise fully competent of discharge the duties, (3) (a) The post of a Welfare Officer shall be advertised in at least two newspapers, one which shall be in English, having a wide circulation in the State. (b) The selection shall be made from amongst the candidate applying for the post by a Committee appointed by the Occupier of the Factories. (c) The appointment when made shall be notified by the Occupier the Chief Commissioner or such authority as the Chief Commissioner may specify for the purpose, giving full details of the qualifications etc. of the officer appointed and the conditions of his service, (4) (a) A Welfare Officer shall be given a status corresponding to the status of the other executive heads of the factory and shall be appointed at a minimum salary of Rs, 200.00 pet month. (b) The conditions of service of a Welfare Officer shall be the same as of other members of the staff of corresponding status in the factory, provided that no punishment shall be inflicted on a Welfare Officer without obtaining the prior approval of the Chief Commissioner. (5) The duties of a Welfare Officer shall be- (i) to establish contracts and hold consultations with a view to maintaining harmonious relations between the factory management and workers. (ii) to bring to the notice of the factory management the grievances of a worker or workers, with a view to secure expeditious redress and to act as a Liaison Officer between the management and labour. (iii) to study and understand the point of view of labour in order to help the factory management to shape and formulate labour policies and to interpret these policies to the workers in a language understood by them; (iv) to watch industrial relations with a view to use his influence in the event of a dispute arising between the factory management and workers and to bring about a settlement by persuasive efforts; (v) to advise on fulfilment by the management and the concerned departments of the factory of their obligations, statutory or otherwise concerning Regulation of working hours, maternity benefit, medical care compensation for injuries and sickness and other welfare and social benefit measures; (vi) to advise and assist the management in the fulfilment of its obligations statutory or otherwise, concerning prevention of personal injuries and maintaining a safe work environment in such factories where Safety Officer is not required to be appointed under the enabling provisions under section 4OB; (vi-A) to promote such relations between the concerned departments of the factory and workers as are likely to bring about productive efficiency as well as amelioration in the working conditions and to help the workers in their adjustment and adoption of their working environments; (vii) to encourage the formation of works and Joint Production Committees, and Safety-First and Welfare Committees, and to supervise their work; (viii) to encourage provisions of amenities such as canteens, shelters for rest, creches, adequate latrine facilities, drinking water sickness and benevolent scheme payments, pension and superannuation funds, gratuity payments, granting of loans and legal advice to workers; (ix) to help the factory management in regulating the grant of leave with wages and explain to the workers the provisions relating to leave with wages and other leave privileges and to guide the workers in the matter of submission of applications for the grant of leave for regulating authorised absence; (x) to advise on questions relating to provisions of welfare facilities, such as housing facilities, food stuffs, social and recreational facilities, sanitation, individual personnel problems and education of children; (xi) to advise the factory management on question relating to training of new starters, apprentices, workers on transfer and promotion, instructions and supervisors, supervise and control notice-boards and information bulletins to further education of workers and to encourage their attendance at Technical Institutes; (xii) to suggest measures which will raise the standard of living of workers and promote their well-being in general. (6) The Chief Commissioner may, by notification in the official Gazette, exempt any factory or class or description of factories from the operation of all or any of the provisions of this rule subject to such conditions as may be specified in the said notifications. (7) Welfare Officers not to deal with disciplinary cases .or Appear on behalf of the management against workers. No Welfare Officer shall deal with any discriplinary case against a worker or appear before a Conciliation Officer, or in a Court or Tribunal on behalf of the factory management against a worker or workers. | 
